web1_TTL050516walters.retire.jpg

Penn State retiree, Jacqueline Walters, honored

web1_Boylan_Joseph-cmyk.jpg

Last-ditch effort to save the Irem Temple building in Wilkes-Barre begins

<p>.</p><p>A recent article (&#8220;<a href="https://www.timesleader.com/news/local/534620/some-luzerne-county-employees-receive-as-many-as-18-sick-days-annually-plus-vacation-and-paid-holiday-allotments" target="_blank">Sick days are still an issue for county</a>,&#8221; April 24) was seemingly prejudiced against Luzerne County employees. The facts were given in such a way as to develop bad opinions regarding off-time for workers.</p><p>Let me start with county benefits. There is no short-term or long-term disability. With the amount of time off a worker has, which is a good amount, he or she must bank time in the event of a long-term illness.</p><p>There are reasons for personal and sick days. You have days you are sick, go to doctor appointments or take a family member for treatment, plus all other events. Vacation you normally bank or use for vacation days. The people in the courthouse deserve these benefits of time. They sure don&#8217;t make big money. That is for management.</p><p>The last contract took three years. It provided no back pay and a $500 raise. Then medical benefits were raised and, after everything, the employees lost money. I never saw employees interviewed about that.</p><p>I would like to see all department heads&#8217; and managers&#8217; salaries printed, with their benefits and number of days off. You go to see them, but they aren&#8217;t available. The stated reason is always &#8220;county related.&#8221;</p><p>I was told years ago by someone who was in a position to know that you don&#8217;t rattle anyone when you interview county officials. Do that and your sources dry up.</p><p>Tell it like it is; people want to read the whole story. Let us know why management deserves these salaries, especially if it involves a raise. </p><p><strong>Ron Kukowski</strong></p><p>Wilkes-Barre</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/letter-to-editor-opinion-6.png">
<div class="neCaption"></div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/letter-to-editor-opinion-6.png</photo0><caption0></caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>

Letter to the Editor: Disparity between Luzerne County workers and management gets overlooked, writer says